Dorothy May Grabemeyer

Dorothy’s life began in La Grange Township, Cass County, Michigan, November 12, 1920, the daughter of Ralph L. Jones and Amanda C Jones (Hurtle)She was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Grabemeyer June 11, 1944 in Cassopolis.Dorothy passed away on March 15, 2013, Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Grabemeyer and her brother Carl E. Jones and survived by her sister-in-laws Maggie Grabemeyer and Betty Jones; her children, Dawn R. Grabemeyer, Eldon G. Grabemeyer, June C. Grabemeyer, Harold M. (Diane) Grabemeyer; grandchildren Michael T. (Sarah) Grabemeyer, Andrea B. Grabemeyer, Aaron J. (Noreen) Grabemeyer, and Mollie R. (Jason Smith) Grabemeyer; and great grandchildren Isaac J. Grabemeyer and Connie M. Grabemeyer.Dorothy graduated in 1938 from Cassopolis High School, Cass County Normal in 1939, and Western Michigan University BS in 1964. Dorothy had a lifelong interest in education and started her teaching career in various one room country schools before teaching at the Eau Claire Public Schools from 1964 to 1978 and was active in local, state, and national educational associations.She was a member of the Junior Farm Bureau (sometimes called the junior matrimonial bureau) from 1939 to 1944. It was through her membership there that she met her husband Dick. She was a member of the local Home Extension Clubs, a 4-H leader from 1956-1970, and active in the Zion’s United Church of Christ, Pipestone Township, Berrien County. She had a lifelong interest in politics and government, member of Democratic Party and participated in local, state, and national party activities. She was a former member of the Michigan Farmer Union and a Member Michigan Sesquicentennial Commission 1985 to 1988. Dorothy loved reading, literature, and “journal jotting” as her called her writing.Her family will gather with friends on Monday March 25th from 1-3 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel where her funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. led by Pastor Doug Cuthbert. She will be laid to rest in Pipestone Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cass County Council on Aging. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Dorothy at www.yazel-clark.com.